Some Surprises Are Good

[kerravonsen]

Saw an acquaintance in the lift this morning. I was admiring the colour of her top, a vivid blue.
She said it was a very Eighties colour, and started describing a dress she'd had in the eighties which was a similar colour, Electric Blue and black, with padded shoulders.

"Oh yes," I said, "those Eighties padded shoulders!"

"You're too young to remember that," she said before I could continue.

"Why, how old do you think I am?" I asked, puzzled.

"Thirties, forties," she said.

"Fifty," I said.

"No way!" she said.

"Fifty," I repeated.

"You're not!" she said.

"Fifty," I repeated again.

"You have a young face," she said. "But I'm still older than you!"

---

Thinking about this later -- because of course I always have to analyse things -- I can think of a few reasons I look younger than I am.
1. I checked in the mirror, and my face doesn't actually have any wrinkles, which surprised me. I thought I had a few crows-feet around my eyes, but apparently I don't (anymore?).
2. Fat face = baby face?
3. I don't wear any makeup. None whatsoever. This confuses people, because they expect older women to wear a lot of makeup (in order to hide how old they are). So I don't fit the profile of what an older woman usually looks like.
4. Long hair in two plaits, because it's easier than one plait. This is also not a customary look for an older woman.

Thing is, I'm not trying pretend that I'm younger than I am, I just look it.

---

I am pleased to be fifty, not because I surprise people that I am fifty, but because I surprise myself. I have made it this far, made it to fifty. This is a good thing.

Comments

[lizbee]

Okay, I had you pegged at about forty, so yes, you are very youthful in appearance!

[kerravonsen]

I thought you already knew I was fifty? Since I thought they'd invited you to my (surprise) 50th party?

[sallymn]

People think I'm younger than I am, but now I'm letting the grey show in my hair (not a lot, but it's there) I think that may fade...

[kalypso]

I'm glad you made it!

I don't think I've had anyone try to guess my age recently, though people used to underestimate it significantly (apart from one blind man, so evidently the voice was a giveaway!) I think there are clues now, as my hair is beginning to grey, and the backs of my hands are creasing and spotting. I don't wear make-up, but my skin is very bad at present, which I believe to be peri-menopausal acne. The menopause proper, however, awaits me... I am wondering whether I will look noticeably older after that.

My sister's hair is mostly white, and she says people get up for her on the bus now.

[kerravonsen]

The menopause proper, however, awaits me... I am wondering whether I will look noticeably older after that.

Don't know.
Beware the hot flushes! Not that one can do anything about them.

My sister's hair is mostly white, and she says people get up for her on the bus now.

8-)

[kalypso]

Oh, I've witnessed the hot flushes in friends, who suddenly start tearing off layers of clothes for no obvious reason until I remember that's what it is. I expect I'll notice when they start.

[watervole]

Smile. I suspect I may come across as younger too, especially when I'm dancing.

[dreamflower]

I get that all the time. I'm almost 64, and when I tell my age, I get that "No, you can't be!" reaction. What can I say, I got great genes from my mother's side. She was over 90 when she passed, and looked like she was in her mid-60s at most.

I do notice that I'm starting to get a few wrinkles, mainly in my hands, and I have finally got a few grey hairs.

Thing is, I can't take any credit for it. I don't do anything particular to look any younger, so I don't find it a big deal.

Oddly, in my dreams (real night-time dreams) I look about the same age I was when I graduated college. I just wish I still felt that way, when I get out of breath, or my knees give me trouble.

[kerravonsen]

I remember I got my first grey hair when I was 39, but I still don't have a lot of them; at first glance they just look like highlights in my dark hair.

Oddly, in my dreams (real night-time dreams) I look about the same age I was when I graduated college. I just wish I still felt that way, when I get out of breath, or my knees give me trouble.

Knees are a pain when they're in pain.

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

I go against convention too with no make up and longish hair.

[kerravonsen]

It's so much more convenient not to have to bother with it.

[vjezkova.livejournal.com]

This is always a good surprise, to hear this. YAY!:-)

[kerravonsen]

8-)

[izhilzha.livejournal.com]

It's your creative spirit shining through. ;) What a lovely thing to hear, though, just in terms, as you say, of the fact that you're 50 and here you are and she could say that to you.

[kerravonsen]

8-)

[juniperus.livejournal.com]

I get the same thing, but it's the fat face--no make up--freckles combination. I look like a kewpie doll. :P

[kerravonsen]

8-)